The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-06-03

vision and glarcd at me in blank aston
ishmcnt, family calculating
" Gracious Heavens, what is that?"
l tried to speak but could only STAN
mer forth:
Il. indeed, sir-I-I could not help 1t.
1t was "a mistake % and burst into q
violent flood of tears.
In the name of Niobel" said he ad-
vancing. who are you? Don't be so
agitated, miss, but please to explain t.
what / am indebted for this unparalleled
honor"
But 1 could not explain, for my
sobs were bursting forth with redoubled
vigor.
- entreat you TO be composed" his
tone softening considerably; " there is
no occasion for such distress II you
are in trouble, miss, and | can relieve
you. shall be happy to do So
Indeed, SIR" said /, striving to re-
gain my possession, =" ! am very
sorry but ! mistook your carriage for
my fathers, and did not perceive 1t
till neard you speak; and then was
SO frightened"
Poor little thing 90 calculated he In
an undertone; then aloud: Don't
feel so badly; 1t is only little blum
der that can easily be rectified in the
morning"
OH" said eagerly, then you be-
pOstor?"
He threw back his head and laughed,
while the white teeth cleaned under his
moustachc; then said gravely:
q don't think you look like an i'm
postor; although-let me sec, are you
sure you don't want the spOOnsr"
Sir" | returned with much dignity,
"my fathers name is Morton. We live
in"
Excuse me, Miss Morton, for my
presumption; and now, if you will allow
me To suggest, my sisters room is un-
occupied, and l think you had better rest
there till morning. If you wish, will
call my mother TO attend you
"So-noi / beg you will mott
would rather stay here; and as soon as
day dawns, l will return home, for l
know papa will be almost crazy about
me-"
And" said he musingly, IF 1 wake
mother | suppose she will be almost
crazy about Maria; although l ap-
prehend she has made the same mis-
take as yourself, for | saw her turn
from her friends the moment before
you entered the carriage. i am afraid
Papas and brothers don't make very gal
liant escorts, else this awkward affair
would not have happened"
q Indeed ~ exclaimed l, rather piqued,
papa left me but an instant to find the
carriage, and then called me, but l sup
me"
And" returned he, Maria stopped
moment to speak to some friends,
and l. being a little out of patience
sPrang in ahead Of her;-but 1 am very
negligent. Allow me to present you to
/ Mr.. Graham Thornton"
Here he made a low bow.
As | bowed in reply, | looked keenly
at him, and found that my first impress
sions were erroneous. He was hand
some-yery handsome, and possessed
that calm dignity and quiet manliness
that always fit q true gentleman like
! a garment. Very different thought L,
! from the bahyish namby-pambyism of
4 that odious George Berkeley.
He had been scIutinisinG me as closely
! as / him. and now said:
You look rather pale, Miss Morton,
and infer you don't feel any the better
/ for your nights adventure"
! Without waiting a reply he STROBE
! down the hall. Presently he returned,
/ bearing a silver waiter, laden with cake
/ and wine.
During our repast he asked my opin-
/ ion OF his conduct in the carriage, and
said he had been annoyed at the
/ theatre that evening.
| i could not but smile to think how
| nearly our feelings were allied.
Scarcely had we finished when through
4 the deadeued sound of the rain, /
| heard a carriage driven at a furious
rate.
oh, it's fatherr said 1. springing
up.
As Mr. Thornton quickly unbarred the
doors, in walked papa, accompanied by
young lady.
ny darlingw cried he how could
you run away from old papa:'
Mr. Thornton was busiIy engaged
questioning his sister as to how and
when she discovered her error
- Why, Graham" said she. lit was
all owing to your SUIkincss II l had
not known how cross YOU were in the
theatrr-. probably | should have GOT.
IL quietly home with aIr. Morton as his
daughter did with YOU
e. Do tell Us how il was 20 cried we
both
d" 1t isn't worth telling. Is it, Mr..
Morton"
Papa laughed till the water stood in
his eyes.
- Just as you please. Miss Thornton"
replied he. &c If you don't wish it, tor
iurc shu'nt draw ii from mo-
OF course, our curiosity was now ey-
cited To the highest pitch. and brother
Insisted oH an explanation.
Tier" i not 50 much to tell YOU
1'-od tee 30 anxious to hear II. " said Miss
Thornton. When Emma Wilson stopu.d
me on the pavement she told ne she is
."In- 10 bc married next AsDrk to Nr
Monroe, and she has only known him
tIr"c weeks, then she wished me to
ie bridesmaid, and requested ME to in
Nite YOU 10 take me with them on their
bridal tour
-'Aii this news so startled me that |
had jumped into the carriage and ridden
some distance before l fully realized
it.
=" Then ] wondered whether OF not Won
would take me- and the more ] thought
OF il the more l wished to 90 SO.
knowing you felt rather cross, thought
l would coax you little; H.
Papa iHtcrposed with u merry twinkle
in his eye:
IF Miss Thornton will allow me. /
will finish, and tell my part of the story.
In the theatre, l saw my little girl was
not very happy; 50, when we were re-
turning. ! thought silence would be the
best cure, and left her to her own re
Elections.
We had nearly reach the bridge.
when she moved nearer to me, and-and
she put 10th arms around my neck and
kissed my cheek !"
Amid our laughter, papa continued:
q drew her to me, and said Well
Annie dear, how do you feel now| For
an answer, was greeted with the most
terrific shrek ] ever heard, and she made
frantic attempts TO open the door"
Here our loud and continued laughter
wakened the sleeping inmates, and a
voice inquired
What is all this fuss about?"
On, mother" said Mr. Thornton
=" DO come down. have something rich
TO tell you; and call father. too -
Papa interposed and said we had tres
passed on their hospitality already too